I have had it with this team. The last time it won a championship I was a toddler. Now, it can't complete a trade for a top 5 NBA player like Carmelo Anthony? What is wrong with these people? Give Denver everything they want! Everything, except Amar'e Stoudemire. He's the only untouchable. Then build the team around Anthony and Stoudemire.
When did Gallinari, and Felton, and Chandler became such great players? The Knicks have not had a good team since Isiah Thomas destroyed them... I yearn for the joy days of Patrick Ewing and John Starks and the NBA Finals. With Stoudemire and Anthony we'll get there. With Stoudemire and a supporting cast? I don't see it.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Toomer's Corner Trees: Auburn Police Arrest Dadeville Man In Toomer's Corner Tree Poisoning - WHNT
Toomer's Corner Trees: Auburn Police Arrest Dadeville Man In Toomer's Corner Tree Poisoning - WHNT
I wonder if this story has anything to do with the current "poisoned" climate in the United States. I mean, really, this appears to be one deranged sports fan who acted out on his sports-hatred... and nothing more than that. For years, sports violence has been an epidemic in Europe an even in some countries in Asia and Africa, even at times in South America. Never really been a problem in the U.S. of America. England (the UK in general really), has been struggling for years with hooliganism,which has been exported to places like Italy, Spain and Greece and even some of the Arab countries. They tend to do a better job of suppressing the violence, but violence persists.
The causes of the violence are many and varied, but in sports it usually manifests in clashes between rivals of two opposing Football (Futbol) clubs. Such matches, are sometimes called the local derby (known here in America as the "cross-town rivalry"). Of course, no-one wants heated passion to escalate to the point of violence, but very often, in European matches this happens.
This has been something that sporting world has NOT experienced in the U.S. Opposing team buses have not been attacked by crazed fans. Oh, objects have been thrown on the playing surfaces of basketball games, or Football stadiums (snowballs come to mind in Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey), but I don't think that things have ever gotten so far out of control in the way that some matches oversees have... where officials needed to be escorted of the pitch in soccer games. Still. This violence epidemic in the sports world spoke of something deeper in the psyche of the common person on the street. Most people on the street were dissatisfied with their lot in life, and sports is just an outlet for this dissatisfaction. Sports attendance is very approachable in Europe, etc...
So, entertainment is the opium for the masses, and Sports has become a sort of Entertainment. It is a drug to keep the masses pliant and acquiescent. Of course, in the U.S. sports events are not accessible by the wider public. They have become too expensive for the median income family to attend. You have to belong to the upper middle class and above, before you can afford them. So most of America are spectators from afar, meaning they have only their TVs to watch from. And it is these same TVs and the TV talking heads who inflame and prod, constantly analyzing everything and anything. They have made the moment an athlete goes into the bathroom an event worthy of analysis: "What did he have for breakfast? How long did he spent in the bathroom? Is he OK? Did he wash his hands after-wards? Did he have contact in that bathroom with someone he should not have?" In other words, if something improper occurred in that bathroom, you better believe it those talking heads will find it, discuss it, and tell us about it.
It does not help either that the country is currently going through the toughest political period it has ever faced. The old timers will tell you things were bad in the 1950s under Jim Crow, or the 1960s with the Civil Rights and Vietnam War marches. History might even tell you that things weren't that good before then either in our history, go further back. What's important to understand is that we're traversing a difficult time, with people with diametrically opposed viewpoints sometimes shouting at each other across a great chasm. Is it any wonder then that people get inflamed in such an environment? Is it possible that a lunatic got crazy enough in an environment toxic enough by the rhetoric to try and assassinate a sitting US Congresswoman? Lots and lots has been written about this, much better than my effort. Ignore my effort. I am only making a roundabout point...
My thesis is this: In a toxic environment, people turn to sports for release. I've seen it happen in Europe. In places like England and Italy and Greece where people feel they have no other say, and can't get their way, they get their release through sports. They do just about anything for their sports team. People HAVE DIED for their sports team, and have attempted murder for their team. Is this acceptable? No, of course not. But, especially, during tough economic conditions, and when the preachers of doom and hate preach their nastiness on TV 24/7, people feel frustrated, and then they react.
This is the way one man reacted. He killed some trees. What will the next "crazed" fan do?
Is the media culpable? Yes, 100%. Both the regular media for preaching hate, and pushing regular people into corners where they find release in such horrible ways, and the sports media--do you have to analyze everything so much?
I wonder if this story has anything to do with the current "poisoned" climate in the United States. I mean, really, this appears to be one deranged sports fan who acted out on his sports-hatred... and nothing more than that. For years, sports violence has been an epidemic in Europe an even in some countries in Asia and Africa, even at times in South America. Never really been a problem in the U.S. of America. England (the UK in general really), has been struggling for years with hooliganism,which has been exported to places like Italy, Spain and Greece and even some of the Arab countries. They tend to do a better job of suppressing the violence, but violence persists.
The causes of the violence are many and varied, but in sports it usually manifests in clashes between rivals of two opposing Football (Futbol) clubs. Such matches, are sometimes called the local derby (known here in America as the "cross-town rivalry"). Of course, no-one wants heated passion to escalate to the point of violence, but very often, in European matches this happens.
This has been something that sporting world has NOT experienced in the U.S. Opposing team buses have not been attacked by crazed fans. Oh, objects have been thrown on the playing surfaces of basketball games, or Football stadiums (snowballs come to mind in Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey), but I don't think that things have ever gotten so far out of control in the way that some matches oversees have... where officials needed to be escorted of the pitch in soccer games. Still. This violence epidemic in the sports world spoke of something deeper in the psyche of the common person on the street. Most people on the street were dissatisfied with their lot in life, and sports is just an outlet for this dissatisfaction. Sports attendance is very approachable in Europe, etc...
So, entertainment is the opium for the masses, and Sports has become a sort of Entertainment. It is a drug to keep the masses pliant and acquiescent. Of course, in the U.S. sports events are not accessible by the wider public. They have become too expensive for the median income family to attend. You have to belong to the upper middle class and above, before you can afford them. So most of America are spectators from afar, meaning they have only their TVs to watch from. And it is these same TVs and the TV talking heads who inflame and prod, constantly analyzing everything and anything. They have made the moment an athlete goes into the bathroom an event worthy of analysis: "What did he have for breakfast? How long did he spent in the bathroom? Is he OK? Did he wash his hands after-wards? Did he have contact in that bathroom with someone he should not have?" In other words, if something improper occurred in that bathroom, you better believe it those talking heads will find it, discuss it, and tell us about it.
It does not help either that the country is currently going through the toughest political period it has ever faced. The old timers will tell you things were bad in the 1950s under Jim Crow, or the 1960s with the Civil Rights and Vietnam War marches. History might even tell you that things weren't that good before then either in our history, go further back. What's important to understand is that we're traversing a difficult time, with people with diametrically opposed viewpoints sometimes shouting at each other across a great chasm. Is it any wonder then that people get inflamed in such an environment? Is it possible that a lunatic got crazy enough in an environment toxic enough by the rhetoric to try and assassinate a sitting US Congresswoman? Lots and lots has been written about this, much better than my effort. Ignore my effort. I am only making a roundabout point...
My thesis is this: In a toxic environment, people turn to sports for release. I've seen it happen in Europe. In places like England and Italy and Greece where people feel they have no other say, and can't get their way, they get their release through sports. They do just about anything for their sports team. People HAVE DIED for their sports team, and have attempted murder for their team. Is this acceptable? No, of course not. But, especially, during tough economic conditions, and when the preachers of doom and hate preach their nastiness on TV 24/7, people feel frustrated, and then they react.
This is the way one man reacted. He killed some trees. What will the next "crazed" fan do?
Is the media culpable? Yes, 100%. Both the regular media for preaching hate, and pushing regular people into corners where they find release in such horrible ways, and the sports media--do you have to analyze everything so much?
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
MEMO to MSNBC Producers, Could Everyone Please Stop Pissing Me Off?
MEMO to MSNBC Producers, Could Everyone Please Stop Pissing Me Off?
I feel exactly like this!
The most important Human Interest story in years, or recent history and MSNBC mucks it up. What is up with that? Are these people stupid? Don't they understand this is what we want to watch? I ended-up watching Sean Hannity on Fox News, and I normally never watch this program. If MSNBC wants us to take them seriously, how do they expect us to do so when they won't even cover such an important story? Over 1 Billion people around the planet were watching, and MSNBC chose NOT to cover it? Come-on!
So when important events do happen, you're telling me to switch away from MSNBC, right....? I get the message.
This is what I twitted to Keith Olbermann yesterday after his show:
I feel exactly like this!
The most important Human Interest story in years, or recent history and MSNBC mucks it up. What is up with that? Are these people stupid? Don't they understand this is what we want to watch? I ended-up watching Sean Hannity on Fox News, and I normally never watch this program. If MSNBC wants us to take them seriously, how do they expect us to do so when they won't even cover such an important story? Over 1 Billion people around the planet were watching, and MSNBC chose NOT to cover it? Come-on!
So when important events do happen, you're telling me to switch away from MSNBC, right....? I get the message.
This is what I twitted to Keith Olbermann yesterday after his show:
@KeithOlbermann Major Fail at #MSNBC. Chile Miner Rescue most important story in the whole world and not one mention on #CountDown OR #TRMSBut that's life in the news business. The news executives know best, I guess. And I, the consumer of their product, I am highly disappointed!
Friday, July 02, 2010
The World Cup
Which World Cup do you think I am talking about? There is only one that matters, and there is only one Football, no matter what Americans like to call their game, played using "hands". So, you call it Soccer, so what? That word comes from "Football Association" anyway! The real problem here is all the Soccer haters out there, specifically:
A Kick In The Head: Soccer Is Not The Game That ‘The Rest Of The World’ Loves
and,
Introducing: Sports Wonks
Now seriously, after the wonderful drama of the first two Quarterfinal games you want me to waste time on this subject? It is true that the United States DID NOT make it past the Round of 16. But people in the know, people who appreciate the game, have other teams that they cheer for and therefore are still watching the games. Maybe the ratings will not be spectacular (20 Million viewers for the USA - Ghana game), but I believe they will still be respectable.
So let me make a couple of points here. Ethan Epstein over at True/Slant, proposes that other sports are more popular than Soccer in other countries not just the US, so why should it be popular here where sports like American Football, Basketball, and Baseball dominate? Well sure, pick a country, even World Soccer powers like Brazil, Argentina and Spain. You know what, those countries love other sports. It might surprise you to know that Basketball is really really popular in those countries. In fact, their very best players, are actually playing over here, in our league, the NBA, and their national teams, are going to give the US Super Team (made of NBA All Stars) a run for its money this summer at the FIBA World Championships. So what has your argument proven? Here are some soccer powers that can also play basketball. All we're saying is that over the whole world, taking into account every sport, the most popular sport IS SOCCER.
So the Sports Wonks over at FrumForum argue that the "tie" in soccer is Un-American. My friends you're wrong. The "tie" in soccer can be a strategic weapon when used properly, and of course it can therefore be a win. There are competitions in which a tie, means that an away goal gives you the edge. In the early rounds of the World Cup, the tie ensures a so-so team, the chance to advance to the next round of the competition, where it can prove its mettle, by improving its game. And sometimes, if you're playing with 10 players due to an ejection, or red card, you try to hold on to a tie, so that you can still get a point, and maybe then advance out of your group.
It really comes down to understanding the game. Millions of young children in the US play the game of soccer due to its accessibility. Yet, as they grow-up they forget it and gravitate to other games such as American Football, and Baseball. I love these other sports. I wholly embrace them and completely enjoy them. But yet, I do not understand the vitriol surrounding the World Cup tournament which comes around every four years. Just like the Olympics, it is a spectacle. It provides highs and lows. It provides drama and story lines to tell your kids. I still remember fondly the World Cup from 1982 and some magical football games played by Italy, the eventual winners that year. Aah, those are the memories!
Soon, this year's version of the World Cup will be complete. A Champion of the World will be crowned. We will move on to other pursuits. Will Americans watch more games on the MLS? Who knows? I don't dislike the MLS. I just don't think it's a World Class League yet. The best American Players go overseas to play. And the only good foreign players that come here, are past their prime. David Beckham, has been injured for most of his time with the L.A. Galaxy and now Thiery Henry is coming to NY. Until the spectacle improves, I'll watch the occasional game. Until then, it's the World Game I am still in love with. And to you haters I say:
"Get over yourselves!"
A Kick In The Head: Soccer Is Not The Game That ‘The Rest Of The World’ Loves
and,
Introducing: Sports Wonks
Now seriously, after the wonderful drama of the first two Quarterfinal games you want me to waste time on this subject? It is true that the United States DID NOT make it past the Round of 16. But people in the know, people who appreciate the game, have other teams that they cheer for and therefore are still watching the games. Maybe the ratings will not be spectacular (20 Million viewers for the USA - Ghana game), but I believe they will still be respectable.
So let me make a couple of points here. Ethan Epstein over at True/Slant, proposes that other sports are more popular than Soccer in other countries not just the US, so why should it be popular here where sports like American Football, Basketball, and Baseball dominate? Well sure, pick a country, even World Soccer powers like Brazil, Argentina and Spain. You know what, those countries love other sports. It might surprise you to know that Basketball is really really popular in those countries. In fact, their very best players, are actually playing over here, in our league, the NBA, and their national teams, are going to give the US Super Team (made of NBA All Stars) a run for its money this summer at the FIBA World Championships. So what has your argument proven? Here are some soccer powers that can also play basketball. All we're saying is that over the whole world, taking into account every sport, the most popular sport IS SOCCER.
So the Sports Wonks over at FrumForum argue that the "tie" in soccer is Un-American. My friends you're wrong. The "tie" in soccer can be a strategic weapon when used properly, and of course it can therefore be a win. There are competitions in which a tie, means that an away goal gives you the edge. In the early rounds of the World Cup, the tie ensures a so-so team, the chance to advance to the next round of the competition, where it can prove its mettle, by improving its game. And sometimes, if you're playing with 10 players due to an ejection, or red card, you try to hold on to a tie, so that you can still get a point, and maybe then advance out of your group.
It really comes down to understanding the game. Millions of young children in the US play the game of soccer due to its accessibility. Yet, as they grow-up they forget it and gravitate to other games such as American Football, and Baseball. I love these other sports. I wholly embrace them and completely enjoy them. But yet, I do not understand the vitriol surrounding the World Cup tournament which comes around every four years. Just like the Olympics, it is a spectacle. It provides highs and lows. It provides drama and story lines to tell your kids. I still remember fondly the World Cup from 1982 and some magical football games played by Italy, the eventual winners that year. Aah, those are the memories!
Soon, this year's version of the World Cup will be complete. A Champion of the World will be crowned. We will move on to other pursuits. Will Americans watch more games on the MLS? Who knows? I don't dislike the MLS. I just don't think it's a World Class League yet. The best American Players go overseas to play. And the only good foreign players that come here, are past their prime. David Beckham, has been injured for most of his time with the L.A. Galaxy and now Thiery Henry is coming to NY. Until the spectacle improves, I'll watch the occasional game. Until then, it's the World Game I am still in love with. And to you haters I say:
"Get over yourselves!"
Saturday, June 05, 2010
The Cult of Personality (Part 2)
Honestly, I don't hate Rachel Maddow. I leave such feelings of hate (that word is such a powerful word, I don't like using it) to people on the right of the political spectrum, who call her names and attack her constantly, for her views, her lifestyle, her appearance and a myriad other things that they find wrong about her. She has a TV show to do, particularly, TRMS, otherwise known as "The Rachel Maddow Show". Her show is on the MSNBC network every weeknight at 9:00 pm Eastern or 8:00 pm Central.
Rachel's Show has various segments during its hour-long run. Sometimes, the writer and former Air America host, Kent Jones, appears on Rachel's show to discuss pop-culture or other items. Of course, I am sure, none of these appearances are unscripted, or without the approval of the producers and of course Rachel Maddow herself.
On June 1st, 2010 for the second consecutive year, Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones proceeded to launch into what could only be described as a "light comedic satire" of the just transpired Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway. This was not the first time that Rachel and her team had made fun of the Eurovision Song Contest, previously "liking it" to American Idol "light" and "a bunch of musical wannabees without talent". When she did it the previous year (2009), she had described the Greek Singer as "dressed like a porn star". This, of a man, Sakis Rouvas, who is #1 in sales in his own country, and very successful at what he does. Yet, Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones decided to mock him and all the other singers representing their respective countries.
This year, their mockery was no different. They attacked the songs, they attacked the costumes, they attacked the stage direction of the performances themselves. And why? In order to provide a 3 to 4 minute segment of what they thought was entertainment to their viewers. In the half-hour news show that I watch in the afternoon by Katie Couric, she normally finishes with something uplifting, something about the human condition that not only informs us, but let us know that we're not alone. Katie Couric and the CBS Evening News does journalism correctly.
I don't doubt Rachel Maddow's geek credentials. I don't want
to debate her. She has awesome debating skills. She understands arguments better than the average human being. But she does not understand her audience. She does not understand that it's NOT "all about her". This is NOT the "The Rachel Maddow Show". This is an informative, news and commentary and analysis show. But, who am I to try to tell her this. She has achieved cult status, and thinks she has surpassed our tastes and can dictate what we want to see and hear. Even Keith Olbermann is more of a newsman than she is. Maybe, Ms. Maddow believes that commentary continues past politics into the world of entertainment, and anything that goes on oversees is fair game, we can make fun of foreigners.
All I know, is that her attempt at humor in mocking or satirizing the Eurovision Song Contest was poorly thought out and poorly executed.
Did it personally bother me? Of course! Have I stopped watching her show because of it. Yes. I understand nothing "mean" might have been "meant" by this exercise, but Ms. Maddow, this is the second year in-a-row that you have performed this stunt. At some point coincidences stop being such, and a pattern emerges. One wonders if you believe in such things as Journalistic Integrity and Professional Ethics. Making fun of the Europeans and their quaint little song contest, might seem amusing, but it is a heritage that some of us have grown-up with and enjoy. Maybe you'd be better served "mocking" American Idol and its voting patterns?
In the end, a journalist who is a TV Personality is only as good as the people watching him or her. Presenting the information of the day requires some perspective. I have always appreciated the ideas and perspective that you have offered, but not anymore. What you seem to be saying to your audience is, "I have a large spoonful of Cult, for those who want to follow me, and I spurn those who don't." I am NOT going to take that bargain.
I'd rather take an apology from you, if offered.
Rachel's Show has various segments during its hour-long run. Sometimes, the writer and former Air America host, Kent Jones, appears on Rachel's show to discuss pop-culture or other items. Of course, I am sure, none of these appearances are unscripted, or without the approval of the producers and of course Rachel Maddow herself.
On June 1st, 2010 for the second consecutive year, Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones proceeded to launch into what could only be described as a "light comedic satire" of the just transpired Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway. This was not the first time that Rachel and her team had made fun of the Eurovision Song Contest, previously "liking it" to American Idol "light" and "a bunch of musical wannabees without talent". When she did it the previous year (2009), she had described the Greek Singer as "dressed like a porn star". This, of a man, Sakis Rouvas, who is #1 in sales in his own country, and very successful at what he does. Yet, Rachel Maddow and Kent Jones decided to mock him and all the other singers representing their respective countries.
This year, their mockery was no different. They attacked the songs, they attacked the costumes, they attacked the stage direction of the performances themselves. And why? In order to provide a 3 to 4 minute segment of what they thought was entertainment to their viewers. In the half-hour news show that I watch in the afternoon by Katie Couric, she normally finishes with something uplifting, something about the human condition that not only informs us, but let us know that we're not alone. Katie Couric and the CBS Evening News does journalism correctly.I don't doubt Rachel Maddow's geek credentials. I don't want
to debate her. She has awesome debating skills. She understands arguments better than the average human being. But she does not understand her audience. She does not understand that it's NOT "all about her". This is NOT the "The Rachel Maddow Show". This is an informative, news and commentary and analysis show. But, who am I to try to tell her this. She has achieved cult status, and thinks she has surpassed our tastes and can dictate what we want to see and hear. Even Keith Olbermann is more of a newsman than she is. Maybe, Ms. Maddow believes that commentary continues past politics into the world of entertainment, and anything that goes on oversees is fair game, we can make fun of foreigners.All I know, is that her attempt at humor in mocking or satirizing the Eurovision Song Contest was poorly thought out and poorly executed.
Did it personally bother me? Of course! Have I stopped watching her show because of it. Yes. I understand nothing "mean" might have been "meant" by this exercise, but Ms. Maddow, this is the second year in-a-row that you have performed this stunt. At some point coincidences stop being such, and a pattern emerges. One wonders if you believe in such things as Journalistic Integrity and Professional Ethics. Making fun of the Europeans and their quaint little song contest, might seem amusing, but it is a heritage that some of us have grown-up with and enjoy. Maybe you'd be better served "mocking" American Idol and its voting patterns?
In the end, a journalist who is a TV Personality is only as good as the people watching him or her. Presenting the information of the day requires some perspective. I have always appreciated the ideas and perspective that you have offered, but not anymore. What you seem to be saying to your audience is, "I have a large spoonful of Cult, for those who want to follow me, and I spurn those who don't." I am NOT going to take that bargain.
I'd rather take an apology from you, if offered.
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